Soothing Spring Allergies

For those of us who live for adventure, so much excitement surrounds springtime. The days are growing longer, and the world is ready to explode with vegetation. Nature seems to be making up for time lost to winter — and you probably are, too!

Even amidst some rain and mud, spring brings newfound opportunities to unleash adventure. But it also brings plenty of allergens like pollen and mold, too. Those of us who are sensitive to these allergens know how difficult it can be to even spend a few minutes outside, let alone unleash a daylong adventure.

Dogs are also susceptible to these allergens, which they can absorb through their skin. In addition to this some dogs can experience allergies that come from foods.

A balanced, nutrient-rich diet can help your dog minimize the impact of allergens and maximize their time outside.

While allergens themselves are notoriously difficult to diagnose, the symptoms are quite clear: inflamed, itchy skin, rashes, and red eyes. Dogs will itch themselves until they develop hotspots, or even full-on skin infections. In addition to this, dogs with food allergies can also show gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.

No matter the allergen, your dog’s symptoms are caused by their immune system. It identifies the allergen as a foreign invader and launches an immune response. While you can’t necessarily prevent the allergens, there are ways you can help soothe your dog’s allergy symptoms.

Soothing allergy symptoms with specialized diets

When it comes to your dog’s diet, Omega-6 & Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to a maintaining a healthy skin & coat and helps mitigate the inflammatory impact that allergens can have on a dog’s body.  A complete & balanced diet with balanced levels of Omega 6 & Omega 3 fatty acids can help promote a healthy skin & coat for your dog, whereas an improper balance of Omega-6 & Omega-3 can actually harm your dog’s skin and coat health. In turn, this will exacerbate allergy symptoms. Thus, it’s important to ensure your dog has a formula with guaranteed levels of Omega-6 & Omega-3 fatty acids.

A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is the best way to help your dog make the most of adventure. However, if you suspect that you dog may have a food allergy, its best to speak with your veterinarian about additional allergy testing that can help to Identify the ingredient or ingredients that may be causing the problem.

Addressing Atopy

Atopy is a skin disorder that primarily affects up to 70% of dogs in their first three years of life. It includes heightened immune responses to common, and otherwise harmless, allergens. Atopy is akin to regular allergies, and spikes in the spring and fall, though some dogs will develop year-round sensitivity.

Atopy symptoms manifest as itchy skin, which can lead to secondary skin infections, particularly if the dog spends lots of time outdoors. While there is no sure solution aside from veterinarian-prescribed steroids, a complete & balanced diet with Omega-6 & Omega-3 fatty acids can help.

While allergies can be complicated, a complete and balanced diet with tailored levels of Omega 6 & Omega 3 Fatty Acids can help with seasonal symptoms and will minimize the potential for food sensitivity issues.

Head to our website to find the right formula for your fellow adventurer.